Springfield 2020 Boundary Field Test and Review

The Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary is essentially the most important variation of the 2020 that we’ve seen, and is a nod to those that want a traditional hinged-floorplate-style searching rifle. This manner doesn’t imply a throwback to the out of date although. The migration from a pistol-gripped, precision-style inventory nonetheless contains fashionable options akin to QD sling cups and integral M-Lok slots up entrance for mounting a bipod. This traditional non-detachable-magazine structure makes for an excellent do-all searching rifle — a task that the Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary is hoping to fill.

Springfield 2020 Boundary Specs

• Motion: two-lug 2020 motion (M700-pattern) with sliding claw extractor
• Inventory: AG Composites Sportsman 
• Cartridges: 6.5 Creedmoor (examined), .308 Win, 6.5 PRC, .300 PRC, .300 Win. Magazine., 7mm Rem. Magazine., 7mm PRC
• Capability: 4+1 (6.5 CM)
• Weight: 6 kilos, 13 ounces (measured)
• Set off: Triggertech, adjustable, 3 kilos 13 ounces (measured)
• Barrel: 22 inches fluted, stainless, 1:8 twist, threaded 5/8-24
• Size: 43 inches (measured)
• MSRP: $2,173

Key Options

• Double-stack, hinged-floorplate journal
• M-Lok slots constructed into the forend of the inventory 
• QD sling cups at entrance and rear
• Contains one-piece Picatinny optic base
• Slender, reverse-comb inventory with traditional searching rifle traces

Overview Highlights

• A useful, light-weight, do-all rifle
• Nice accuracy
• Good inclusion of contemporary options
• Reliability points on pre-production pattern

Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary Accuracy 

I’ve examined two totally different mannequin 2020 rifles already, the 2020 Waypoint Long Action and the 2020 Redline, each with carbon-fiber barrels. Each rifles had been fairly correct. The early pattern of the Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary that I examined has a 22-inch fluted chrome steel barrel — it was impressively correct as properly. The truth is, its accuracy is neck-and-neck with the wonderful Sako 90 Aventure we recently tested.

Common 5-shot group dimension at 100 yards: .754 inches (13 teams with two varieties of ammo)

I evaluated accuracy with two staple goal hundreds: Hornady’s 140-grain ELD-M and Federal Premium’s 140-grain Centerstrike. Each hundreds have been performing constantly for the Outside Life gun staff over the previous yr and provides us an excellent baseline for analysis. They shot nice five-round teams, however in the event you’ve been studying our rifle reviews and tests in the previous few months, you understand how we really feel about that. 5-round group sizes merely don’t give us sufficient info to let you know how exact a rifle actually is.

Correct rifles common tight five-shot teams, certain, however these group sizes aren’t consultant of the true cone of dispersion — or the bounds by which any given shot will fall. For that motive, we correlate factors of purpose to generate 20-shot group sizes, a statistically extra informative amount. As well as, we are able to calculate a sound Mean Radius, which takes each shot under consideration and provides us a high-definition image of what we are able to count on from our rifle/ammo combo.

An fascinating factor to notice — and a giant motive why we take a look at imply radius — is that the common group dimension and 20-shot group dimension had been smaller with the Hornady ammo, however the imply radius was smaller with the Federal 140-grain Centerstrike. That implies that general, the common bullet influence with the Federal ammo was barely nearer to the middle of the group. It’s probably that the group dimension is the results of one errant shot, as a result of group dimension solely considers the 2 photographs which can be farthest aside.

A New Face For the Springfield 2020

Springfield Armory’s 2020 motion was first launched of their Waypoint rifle again within the yr 2020, and it obliged the hunter who wished target-rifle ergonomics and performance in a searching rifle at an inexpensive weight. The Waypoint 2020 was correct and well-liked, however like each different hardgood in and shortly after 2020, suffered from provide chain points and was powerful to get ahold of. Fortunately, Springfield is now rolling ahead after introducing the long-action model of the Waypoint, with the Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary. 

A Hinged Floorplate Inventory

The guts of the Boundary remains to be the Remington 700-pattern motion that options an integral recoil lug and bolt with tool-less takedown. The numerous departure from the earlier two 2020 iterations is the inventory. The platform is housed in an AG Composites AG Sportsman inventory that’s what most would take into account a classic-style searching inventory. There are some refined fashionable ergonomic options of the inventory just like the slight reverse comb and sturdy 1.42-inch grip width, which helps accommodate the fashionable “thumb-on-top” grip and managed set off squeeze. Pull an previous traditional American type walnut inventory out of the gun secure and also you’ll instantly notice how a lot thinner the grip is and the way it modifications the texture of the rifle.

As dependable and customary as removable magazines are actually, I’m not obsessed with them for many searching rifles. Perhaps that’s simply me being a Fudd, however I want top-loading magazines and a floorplate. On the 2020 boundary, the stainless floorplate latches simply and securely and, extra importantly, could be very simple to open. I’m usually not a fan of inside-the-trigger-guard journal releases, however the small rounded actuator on the 2020 Boundary (and different 2020 fashions) is straightforward to control with out contacting the set off. I want it to some flush-fitting levers outdoors the set off guard like that on my Ruger Guide Gun, which could be very troublesome to press and open the floorplate. 

This carbon-fiber inventory is straightforward, well-executed, and provides you, the shooter, nice ergonomics and recoil administration traits. It’s good to see it transcend the necessity for sling swivel studs, and it contains QD cups fore and aft, on the port facet of the forend and backside of the butt. The underside of the forend options a few M-Lok slots which can be properly executed and not using a break within the inventory’s end or look. The aluminum plate for the M-lok is embedded within the inventory and completed over so all you see are the slots themselves. It’s able to mount an M-Lok bipod, Picatinny, or part of ARCA rail. 

Stainless and Carbon-Fiber Barrels

As with the 2020 Waypoint, the Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary can be provided with each metal (which is what I examined) and carbon barrels. It produced wonderful accuracy, the rifle was nonetheless mild, and I believe it’s an excellent possibility. I’ve had good outcomes from the BSF carbon barrels on different 2020 fashions too, however carbon barrels is usually a bit extra finicky on the whole. My pattern weighed barely lower than marketed, and each metal and carbon variations will weigh nearly the identical.

The fluted metal barrel got here with a radial muzzle brake and thread protector, and was threaded in the usual ⅝-24 thread sample for .264 and bigger calibers. I paired this rifle with a KGM R30K suppressor and by no means appeared again.

The Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary within the Subject

Regardless of my usually glowing opinion of the Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary, I did encounter a gremlin that can’t be ignored. I had some important feeding points with the rifle’s top-loading journal.

On the vary, I famous that with any kind of ammo, if I loaded 4 rounds into the journal (the said capability in 6.5 Creedmoor), it was very troublesome to shut the bolt over high of them. There was lots of friction between the bolt and cartridges within the magazine. After firing the fifth “topped-off” shot, the primary spherical within the journal would hardly ever feed. It appeared that if I solely loaded 3 within the journal, cartridges would feed far more easily, and I didn’t have any stoppages on the vary. 

I took the rifle on a distant bear hunt utilizing Hornady’s 143-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter load, ensuring to solely hold three rounds within the journal, so it could feed the primary follow-up shot from the precise facet. Usually, I’ve loads of time to chamber a spherical once I settle in to attend for a bear, however not this time. One mid-afternoon, I nosed the boat into the financial institution at certainly one of our bait websites, and as my dad was fixing to tie us off, I noticed an enormous black bear head seem over the crest of the sloping financial institution — about 15 yards above us.

I grabbed the rifle as he stood wanting down at us, solely his head and chest uncovered. I went to chamber a spherical and the cartridge jammed into the chamber and wouldn’t spring freed from the feed lips. I shortly opened the floorplate, grabbing a cartridge as the remaining rattled on the floorboard of the boat. I slid the only spherical within the chamber, raised up and shot the bear within the chest, simply as he was starting his gradual flip to run. It made for a very good story, but it surely was an inexcusable malfunction. I killed one other bear the subsequent day too, however already had chambered a spherical.

Pre-Manufacturing Points

Anytime important (and typically insignificant) modifications are made to a rifle, surprising issues can occur. Even one thing as seemingly easy as going from a removable to inner journal can current points. I had some minor feeding points with the Weatherby 307 Adventure, and now was seeing even worse with the Springfield. 

After some nearer examination and repetition, I famous two issues:

1. Bullet noses would influence the sidewall of the chamber earlier than they may spring free from the feed lips. This could wedge them tightly, they usually may solely be cleared by dropping the ground plate. The problem appeared extra distinguished when feeding from the left facet of the journal.
2. The journal follower and particularly the fluting on the bolt gave the impression to be excessively abrasive and create an unacceptably tight match. The bolt would scratch the hell out of the brass within the journal under it, and each the follower and bolt had been caked with brass galling and shavings. This is the reason it was so troublesome to attract the bolt to the rear atop a fully-loaded journal.

I despatched the rifle again for inspection and suggestions, and Springfield informed me that it was one of many first rifles out the door, they usually had been capable of resolve the problem by modifying the journal follower and sharpening the feed ramp. In addition they pulled a number of rifles off the manufacturing line and couldn’t replicate the issue. I speculate {that a} follower challenge may have additionally been answerable for urgent cartridges up in opposition to the bolt physique with an excessive amount of pressure. Both means, in the event you had been to come across such a problem, it could be coated and made proper by their guarantee.

Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary Execs and Cons

Each rifle, irrespective of how good, has constructive and destructive attributes. Right here’s a summation of what I famous:

Execs

• Gentle with good ergonomics
• Very correct
• Wonderful fashionable inventory
• Pairs properly with a suppressor

Cons

• My pattern had main feeding points
• Bolt fluting appeared too sharp and abrasive on brass

Closing Ideas on the Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary

The spectacular accuracy and nicely-executed ergonomics of the Springfield Armory 2020 Boundary make it an interesting selection for an all-around searching rifle. It maintains what we love in regards to the really feel and handbook of arms of a traditional searching rifle, however incorporates higher, extra fashionable options and supplies within the inventory. 

I actually like this rifle, regardless of the problems with my pattern. That’s not an excuse for it, and it’s one thing that Springfield wants to make sure is straightened out. A smoothly-functioning model of this rifle can be one of many higher all-around searching rifles I’ve seen. I’m assured that’s one thing Springfield will make occur, but when I’m going to purchase one off the rack, I’ll most likely have a handful of inert cartridges (clearly verify together with your gun retailer first) to cycle by way of the gun earlier than I take it dwelling.